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Clarence Woolman
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Clarence Woolman was shot and killed by a prisoner in the Kirkwood Hotel, at 400 Walnut Street, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was transporting the prisoner to the State Hospital for Inebriates, in Knoxville, and had stopped in Des Moines for the night. As Deputy Woolman slept in a hotel bedroom his prisoner took his gun from his pocket and shot him three times. The prisoner then walked to a saloon at 3rd and Court Avenue and shot and killed the bartender. The prisoner was the former police surgeon for the Council Bluffs Police Department. The man was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sent to a mental hospital. On January 9th, 1915, he was declared sane and released. Deputy Woolman had served with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Woolman gave the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Council Bluffs community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Clarence Woolman served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Clarence is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Clarence is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 5 officers in IA were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clarence was 33. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Clarence had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Clarence was 33. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Clarence had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clarence was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clarence had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.1% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Saturdays: 22.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Clarence among them.
Where
Military Service
Clarence Woolman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Clarence Woolman’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
